Nutritional habits according to age and BMI of 6–17-year-old children from the urban municipality in Poland

Physical Activity Habits and Sleep Duration According to Gender: A Cross-Sectional Study of Elementary School Children

(1) Background: The main goals of this study were to describe the physical activity (PA) and sleep habits of 8-12-year-old children according to their gender and to evaluate the relationship between PA and sleep habits (i.e., duration and timing). (2) Methods: A total of 236 children (114 boys and 122 girls) completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) and an ad hoc sleep habits questionnaire. (3) Results: Boys were more physically active than girls (2.62 ± 0.51 vs. 2.46 ± 0.48, p = 0.026) and enacted higher PA levels in school recess (3.82 ± 1.36 vs. 3.56 ± 1.38, p = 0.003), during the afternoon (3.37 ± 1.20 vs. 2.89 ± 1.12, p = 0.003), and during weekends (3.54 ± 1.20 vs. 3.18 ± 0.48, p = 0.009). Per sleep habits, boys had a significantly later bedtime (21:53 ± 2:08 vs. 21:34 ± 2:14, p = 0.009) and a significantly smaller total sleep duration (9.64 ± 0.86 vs. 9.89 ± 0.87 h, p = 0.023) than girls. No significant correlations between PA and sleep habits were found. (4) Conclusions: We found differences in the PA and sleep habits between school-age boys and girls. Institutions and entities should consider designing specific interventions to improve PA and sleep habits according to gender.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Grilled Marshmallows

The aim of this study was to assess potential health risks among children and adolescents consuming various grilled marshmallows using a survey and to determine polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in these food products. PAH analysis in grilled marshmallows included a dilution stage with deionized water and liquid-liquid extraction with cyclohexane and solid-phase extraction (SPE). PAH fractions were initially analyzed via high-performance thin-layer chromatography, and PAH concentrations were determined via gas chromatography with a tandem mass detector using the selective reaction monitoring (SRM) mode. This study on the consumption of grilled marshmallows was conducted among approximately 300 children and adolescents. The preliminary results indicated that "raw" marshmallows did not contain PAHs. However, the obtained data suggested the exposure of young people to carcinogenic PAHs from grilled marshmallows (63.5% of them consumed marshmallows). Carcinogenic benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) was determined in all samples. The profile of PAH concentrations in the extracts isolated from various grilled types of marshmallows was similar (r2 > 0.8000), regardless of the grilling method. Compared to the white sugar confection, higher concentrations of PAHs were determined in multicolored marshmallows. The lack of social awareness about exposure to carcinogenic substances is alarming.

Dietary habits among 177,091 Greek schoolchildren by age, sex, weight status, region, and living area. A cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to investigate the dietary habits from early childhood to adolescence among participants from all regions of the country and living areas (rural/urban) and assess potential associations between dietary habits and obesity in both sexes.

METHODS

Population data were derived from a cross-sectional health survey on a representative sample of 177,091 children aged 6-18 years. Dietary habits were considered via a self-completed questionnaire (Mediterranean diet quality index for children and adolescents [KIDMED]). Trained investigators assessed the anthropometric data.

RESULTS

KIDMED scores were 6.7 ± 2.4 and 6.8 ± 2.3 for boys and girls, respectively, whereas a percentage of almost 10% of the total study population had insufficient dietary habits. Dietary habits peaked around age 11 years and then gradually worsened until the end of adolescence in both sexes, with an annual trend equal to -0.28 ± 0.02 (p < 0.001) for boys and -0.31 ± 0.03 (p < 0.001) for girls. Schoolchildren who are overweight/obese presented higher percentages in all unhealthy dietary habits (e.g., skipping breakfast, going often to a fast food restaurant, and consuming a lot of sweets) than children with a normal weight (all p-values < 0.001). Dietary habits did not noteworthy differ by area of living, that is, urban versus rural, of participants in both sexes. In addition, no noticeable differences in the values of the KIDMED index were found among all regions of Greece, with the highest values in Attica and Crete in both sexes.

CONCLUSIONS

Because Greek schoolchildren do not fully adopt the traditional cardio-protective Mediterranean diet, it could be helpful to provide certain recommendations, especially for adolescents, to decrease the risk for future adverse health consequences.

Association between body weight misperception and snacking patterns among adolescents: a population-based cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Unhealthy snacking behaviors and body weight misperception are both significant concerns in adolescent health. Weight misperception are common among youth and may influence their motivation to engage in health-related behaviors, however, the effect on snacking patterns choice remains unclear. Our study aimed to examine the relationship between body weight misperception and snacking pattern choice among school adolescents.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey platform. Body weight misperception was defined based on perceived body weight and true weight. Snack intake was measured using a qualitative food-frequency questionnaire. Factor analysis was used to identify snacking patterns, and multiple linear regression was employed to examine the association between body weight misperception and snacking patterns.

RESULTS

190,296 students with the average age of 13.3 ± 1.0 years was included, and 44.5% of students misperceived their weight. Overestimation was more prevalent than underestimation. Two snacking patterns, namely a high-calorie snacking pattern and a healthy snacking pattern, were identified with eigenvalues > 1. Weight underestimation was positively linked to high-calorie snacking pattern scores for both normal weight students (β: 0.16, 95% CI: 0.11, 0.21) and students with overweight/obesity (β: 0.44, 95% CI: 0.35, 0.52), and to healthy snacking scores for students with overweight/obesity (β: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.22, 0.33), but negatively linked to healthy snacking pattern scores for normal weight students (β: -0.12, 95% CI: -0.15, -0.09). Conversely, weight overestimation was negatively linked to both high-calorie and healthy snacking pattern scores for normal weight students (β: -0.07, 95% CI: -0.11, -0.04 and β: -0.13, 95% CI: -0.15, -0.10), but positively linked to healthy snacking scores for underweight students (β: 0.15, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.21). Interactions were found between sex, grade, accommodation, only child, primary guardians, parental education level and weight misperception to snacking patterns.

CONCLUSIONS

Adolescents with normal weight and overweight/obesity who misperceived their weight exhibited less healthy snacking patterns, whereas underweight students who misperceived their weight displayed healthier snacking patterns. Comprehensive programs are crucial to educate and guide adolescents in understanding their weight status and making healthier snack choices, involving families, schools, and society.

Effects of virtual interventions based on the theory of planned behavior to improve obesity-preventive lifestyle among girls, during COVID-19 pandemic

BACKGROUND

Adolescence is a critical period for the spread of obesity and overweight. This research was conducted with the aim of determining the effect of an educational intervention based on the theory of planned behavior on promoting obesity-related behaviors in overweight female students in Gachsaran.

METHODS

this quasi-experimental study was conducted on 90 female students of the first secondary school in the form of two intervention and control groups. Information related to nutritional status and the structures of the theory of planned behavior were collected using a researcher-made questionnaire whose validity and reliability have been confirmed. The educational intervention was carried out during five virtual training sessions. The data obtained three months after the intervention were analyzed using SPSS statistical software, version 20, using independent t-tests, paired t-tests, and equivalent non-parametric tests.

RESULTS

The present study showed that the scores of the constructs of awareness, perceived behavior control, subjective norms, intention, and nutritional behaviors were significantly improved after the intervention (p < 0.001). The results of the Mann-Whitney test showed that the two intervention and control groups did not have a significant difference in terms of the average overall physical activity score after the intervention (p = 0.078).

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study showed that training based on the theory of planned behavior in the conditions of COVID-19 disease and in a virtual form had an effect on nutritional behavior but could not increase physical activity behavior in adolescents with weight loss.

The Synergetic Effect of Soft Drinks and Sweet/Salty Snacks Consumption and the Moderating Role of Obesity on Preadolescents' Emotions and Behavior: A School-Based Epidemiological Study

The consumption of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) is high along with the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems among children and adolescents. The present study sought to investigate the synergetic effect of soft drinks and sweet/salty snacks consumption, and the moderating role of obesity on preadolescents' emotions and behavior. A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1728 Greek preadolescents aged 10-12 and their parents, during the school years 2014-2016. Parental and child characteristics were collected anonymously, through self-administered and validated questionnaires. Among others, soft drinks and sweet/salty snacks consumption was recorded, classifying preadolescents as low or at least moderate consumers, while anthropometric characteristics (height, weight, Body Mass Index (BMI)) were also recorded. Approximately 6 out of 10 preadolescents were characterized by at least moderate consumption of either sweet/salty snacks, or soft drinks, while 22.7% of the participants had at least moderate consumption of both soft drinks and sweet/salty snacks. Boys and preadolescents with a lower level of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, as well as those living in a more obesogenic family environment were more likely to be in the higher consumption groups. When compared to just either the moderate consumption of sweet/salty snacks, or the moderate consumption of soft drinks, the combination of both unhealthy eating habits was associated with significantly higher odds of both aggressiveness and loneliness, while the examined relationships were significantly stronger in overweight/obese children. The positive synergistic effect of soft drinks and sweet/salty snacks consumption on preadolescents' emotions of loneliness and aggressive behavior is even burdened by obesity status highlighting the urgent need for policymakers to take preventive measures to halt the detrimental consequences of UPFs consumption on health outcomes, particularly in overweight/obese children. The importance of the improvement of children's unhealthy eating habits by emphasizing the association between food intake and emotional and behavioral status is highlighted.

The Impact of Physical Activity at School on Eating Behaviour and Leisure Time of Early Adolescents

(1) Background: Diet and physical activity (PA) significantly impact health. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of long-term increase in organized PA level at school on the eating behaviour and leisure time of early adolescences in the period from the age of 10 to 12. (2) Methods: Children born in 2007 (n = 278) in groups with a standard (control group) and increased level of organized PA at school (4 and 10 h a week) were subjected to an anonymous follow-up survey. The questionnaire included 22 questions related to the eating behaviour and ways and frequency of leisure time PA. The study was conducted in the same groups in three assessment sessions in September 2017, 2018 and 2019. (3) Results: During the course of the study, it was shown improvement of eating behaviour in the increased PA group whereas decline in the standard PA one. The share of children with good and very good scores of eating behaviour decreased in the standard PA group from 56.89% to 54.54% and increased in the increased PA from 58.06% to 60.29%. In the increased PA group children more frequently than standard PA ate vegetables, fruits, fish, poultry meat, wholemeal bakery products, milk, dairy products and drinking tea without sugar, as well as ate breakfast. The standard PA children more frequently than increased PA ate high sugar and/or fat content food as sweets, savoury snacks and drank fizzy drinks as well as fast foods. The frequency of often undertaken leisure time PA increased in the increased PA group from 67% to 74%, while decreased in the standard PA from 58% to 52%. (4) Conclusions: Increase in organized PA at school beneficially influenced early adolescents' eating behaviour and frequency of leisure time PA during 2 years observation. It also increased early adolescents' awareness of healthy diet. Increased PA at school helps shaping healthy lifestyle among early adolescents.